How to Create Desktop Shortcuts on Windows 10 the Easy Way
- Chris Hoffman
@chrisbhoffman
Windows 10 still lets you create desktop shortcuts to applications, files, folders, and even websites. Desktop icons may a little out of fashion, but theyre still useful as part of a nicely organized desktop.
How to Create a Shortcut to an Application
To do this the easy way, open Windows 10s Start menu. Look for the application you want to use by scrolling through the Apps list at the left side of the menu. If its in the tiles list at the right side of the menu, you can also drag it from there.
Once youve found it, drag and drop the applications shortcut from your Start menu to your desktop. Youll see the word Link appear when youre hovering over the desktop. Release the mouse button to create a link to the program, also known as a desktop shortcut.
Note that you cant search for the application by name in the Start menu. Windows 10 wont let you drag and drop anything from the search results. It should, but it doesnt.
How to Create a Shortcut to a File or Folder
To create a desktop shortcut to a file, first, locate the file somewhere in File Explorer. Hold down the Alt key on your keyboard and then drag and drop the file or folder to your desktop. The words Create Link in Desktop will appear. Release the mouse button to create the link.
Holding down Alt is necessary. If you dont hold down Alt, Windows will show the words Move to Desktop, and it will move the folder or file to your desktop rather than simply creating a link.
How to Create a Shortcut to a Website
In Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, you can quickly create desktop shortcuts to websites. With a web page open, drag and drop the icon to the left of the address barits generally a padlock or an i in a circleto the desktop.
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This doesnt work in Microsoft Edge for some reason. Edge wont let you directly create desktop shortcuts. However, you can create them in Chrome or Firefox, and theyll automatically open in your default web browsereven if thats Microsoft Edge.
Working With Your Shortcuts
Whatever type of shortcut you create, you can right-click it afterward, select Rename, and change the name to whatever you like.
You can use all the above methods to create shortcuts in other folders, too. Want to create a shortcut to a website or application in your Downloads folder? Go right ahead! Just drag and drop it to your desired location instead of the desktop.
If you dont see any shortcuts on your desktop, they may be hidden.Right-click the desktop and select View > Show Desktop Icons to unhide them.
You can also choose the size of your desktop icons from herelarge, medium, or small. For more size options, position your mouse cursor over the desktop, hold down the Ctrl key, and scroll up and down with your mouse wheel.
RELATED: How To Organize Your Messy Windows Desktop [And Keep It That Way]
Chris Hoffman is Editor-in-Chief of How-To Geek. He's written about technology for over a decade and was a PCWorld columnist for two years. Chris has written for The New York Times, been interviewed as a technology expert on TV stations like Miami's NBC 6, and had his work covered by news outlets like the BBC. Since 2011, Chris has written over 2,000 articles that have been read nearly one billion times---and that's just here at How-To Geek. Read Full Bio »